What the data shows: Maternal outcomes in the United States are getting worse, particularly for low-income women and women of color. Suicide remains a leading cause of maternal fatalities, accounting for 20% of postpartum deaths.
Healthy Births & Thriving Families
Supporting baby’s growth and healthy brain development by prioritizing the well-being of families—before, during and after their child is born.
our approach
We’re Committed To:
Creating a Prenatal-to-Five Continuum of Care That Meets the Unique Needs of Every Family
By researching and piloting innovative programs and scaling successful models, we develop solutions that respond to the evolving needs of children and families.
Increasing Access to Effective Behavioral & Mental Health Services
We create a holistic approach to care by scaling proven models that address a broader range of needs, integrating mental health services into programs and addressing the well-being of the Early Learning and Care workforce.
Modeling Innovations & Funding Strategies to Expand Family Access to Support Systems
We partner with providers to drive improved child development and health outcomes, and offer technical assistance to ensure that health dollars are utilized for non-medical forms of support.
how we work
Our Impact Strategies
Start Early operates at the epicenter of delivering high-quality programming, scaling best practices and advocating for policy change that supports effective early learning programs. Our leadership and credibility in these areas uniquely position us to influence practices, policies and funding—ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Deliver High-Quality Programming
We directly impact families through hands-on support and innovative programming. We research, pilot and evaluate new models to address the emerging needs of children and families. Our partnerships with healthcare providers improve outcomes at the most critical stages of child development.
Scale Best Practices
To amplify our reach, we scale successful pilot innovations into models that can be adopted as the standard of care. We support the mental health and well-being of the Early Learning and Care workforce, provide technical assistance for non-medical forms of support, and share our innovations with other organizations.
Advocate for Policy Change
At the systemic level, we advocate for policies and practices that create sustainable change. This includes expanding and increasing access to home visiting and doula services at the federal, state and local levels. We also consult on early intervention strategies and build an evidence base that is shaping the future of family services across the nation.
impact in action
Helping Parents Find Their Confidence
Watch how Dequann discovered his own path to confident parenting through our doula and home visiting program.
by the numbers
Our Annual Impact
Through our work with children and families, early learning professionals, community partners and advocates, Start Early has:
1,921 Children
Directly served 1,835 children through our Home Visiting & Doula Network programs and 76 children through our home-based Early Head Start programming.
4,439 Professionals
Reached 4,439 professionals across all 50 States through our training and technical assistance and indirectly reached 223,837 children.
12 Policy Changes
Worked towards 12 Early Childhood Policy changes across all 50 states and $50M in new MIECHV funding for families and children.
why this matters
Key Benefits for Families
Start Early’s programs connect families to community resources, ensuring that they receive the customized support needed to nurture their young children. Research shows that when families are actively engaged in their children’s learning—both in and out of school—parents are better equipped to support their child’s development and long-term success.
Holistic Development
Ensuring that parents have access to comprehensive services that provide critical support for their children’s physical, cognitive and emotional health.
Holistic Development
Ensuring that parents have access to comprehensive services that provide critical support for their children’s physical, cognitive and emotional health.
Family Support
Connecting families to resources, alleviating stress and providing parents with tools that help them meet their children’s needs.
Family Support
Connecting families to resources, alleviating stress and providing parents with tools that help them meet their children’s needs.
Early Identification
Improving long-term outcomes through timely interventions to support developmental delays and learning needs.
Early Identification
Improving long-term outcomes through timely interventions to support developmental delays and learning needs.
Community Engagement
Fostering a strong, connected network of support that benefits both children and their families.
Community Engagement
Fostering a strong, connected network of support that benefits both children and their families.
explore more
Our Impact & Other Focus Areas
Our Impact
At Start Early, we create a continuum of care that supports families every step of the way—before, during and after their child is born.
Effective Early Learning Programs
We’re ensuring that all families have access to inclusive, high-quality early learning programs that are culturally and linguistically responsive to their needs.
Strong Early Childhood Systems
We’re transforming the early childhood system into a prenatal-to-five continuum of publicly funded, effective programs that meet the unique needs of children, their families and those who serve them.
A Trusted Leader in Early Childhood Development
For over 40 years, we’ve worked hand in hand with families, caregivers and communities to co-create an Early Learning and Care system that reflects their voices and meets their needs. By elevating these voices and removing barriers, we’re helping ensure every child can grow, learn and thrive—from the very start.
